Department for Communities

A DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES 2009 ANNUAL REPORT Government of Western AustraliAustralia- Department for Communities ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009 Hon Robyn McSweeney MLC Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests. Hon Donna Faragher MLC Minister for Environment; Youth. In accordance with section 61 of the Financial Management Act 2006, I hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report for the Department for Communities for the year ended 30 June 2009. The report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006. r Susan Barrera ACCOUNTABLE AUTHORITY 11 September 2009 3 Department for Communities ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW .................................................................................... 5 THE YEAR IN REVIEW............................................................................................................. 5 OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE ................................................................................................. 8 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK................................................................ 14 AGENCY PERFORMANCE ......................................................... 16 REPORT ON OPERATIONS .................................................................................................. 16 SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IMPACTING ON THE AGENCY ............ 48 DISCLOSURES AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE ............................ 50 INDEPENDENT AUDIT OPINION........................................................................................... 50 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................................................................................... 52 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS..................................................................................... 85 MINISTERIAL DIRECTIVES ................................................................................................... 99 OTHER FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES..................................................................................... 99 GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURES.......................................................................................... 104 OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................... 105 GOVERNMENT POLICY REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................ 107 APPENDICES ............................................................................ 110 APPENDIX 1: GRANT FUNDING ......................................................................................... 110 APPENDIX 2: FUNDED SERVICES ..................................................................................... 125 APPENDIX 3: ADVISORY COMMITTEES............................................................................ 126 APPENDIX 4: OFFICE LOCATIONS .................................................................................... 130 APPENDIX 5: PUBLICATIONS ............................................................................................. 132 APPENDIX 6: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING...................................................... 134 APPENDIX 7: GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS ................................................. 135 4 Department for Communities ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009 OVERVIEW THE YEAR IN REVIEW It is now more than two years since the Department for Communities (DfC) was created. During that time the department has established itself as a vital, innovative organisation well placed to contribute towards building strong, vibrant communities. DfC’s strong focus on strategic policy, research and evaluation — particularly in the area of seniors, carers, volunteering, early years, children, families, youth and women — is evident in the list of achievements for last financial year. The Economic Value of Volunteering in Western Australia, a report commissioned and released by DfC this year, continues to generate media coverage, raising awareness of volunteering issues and encouraging robust policy responses. A discussion paper outlining a framework for delivering integrated services for families during their children’s early years attracted a strong response, laying the groundwork for an ongoing dialogue on the best way of delivering services during those important early years. Backing policy with delivery, work proceeded throughout the year on revitalising the state’s parenting services. A highlight was replacing the Parent Help Centre with Parenting WA, providing Western Australian families with support and information about parenting children aged up to 18 years through the 24-hour Parenting WA Line and regional parenting services. Another highlight was the continuing success of the Best Start program aimed at Aboriginal families with children aged 0 to 5 years. This innovative program helps to improve the health and social wellbeing of young children and families by preparing children for school and providing support for parents, carers and extended families in their parenting role. Continuing the early years focus, DfC’s Child Care Licensing and Standards Unit was responsible for managing the licensing and compliance of 1,500 child care services catering for some 70,000 children throughout WA. At the other end of the spectrum, support for seniors is also a major priority for DfC. The roll-out of the Cost of Living Rebate — the biggest exercise of its kind the state government has ever conducted — and the launch of the Safety and Security Rebate for Western Australian Seniors Card holders were just two of the highlights in this area. Others included the start of a review into Seniors Card eligibility, establishing the new Seniors’ Ministerial Advisory Council and continuing the Seniors Card program and the Seniors Information Service. 5 Department for Communities ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009 The volunteers at the Senior Information Service — most of them seniors themselves — handle around 1,500 calls every month, providing information and referral advice on issues such as accommodation options, education, finance/business, health and lifestyle. Complementing the Seniors Information Service, the Volunteer Speakers team offers experienced presenters to provide information on a wide range of seniors-related issues including retirement and government and non- government concessions and benefits. Two new presentations developed for the program have proved popular this year: Ageing Well covering key attributes to successful ageing; and Living Independently looking at services and supports to help people stay at home. The caring role has a critical impact on many seniors. The Carers Advisory Council plays an important part in ensuring carers are recognised in the community and involved in decisions about services that affect them. DfC continued its support role for the council throughout the year and also funded the Carers Counselling Line to provide telephone support service for carers. The philosophy of ensuring community involvement in decision making is fundamental to the way DfC operates. DfC places great importance on supporting community members to come up with their own solutions to community issues. This community building is encouraged through DfC’s ongoing funding, one-off grants and sponsorship. More than 200 non- government organisations and community groups throughout Western Australia received funding last financial year. Being so involved with communities means DfC is aware of the many Western Australians who go quietly about supporting their community and making huge contributions to the state. To celebrate these achievements, DfC continued its extensive program of events and awards recognising and acknowledging these contributions through the Seniors Awards and Seniors Week, the Positive Image Awards, the Youth Awards, Children’s Week, International Women’s Day, White Ribbon Day, Thank a Volunteer Day and the Community Services Industry Awards. The volunteers at the Women’s Information Service are a wonderful example of the people who are celebrated in these awards. These fully-trained and dedicated volunteers provided an invaluable community service by responding to more than 6 000 telephone enquiries on a variety of issues including health, finance, counselling and law. Specially trained staff also worked hard on processing applications for the Redress WA scheme which closed on 30 April this year. Around 10,000 people who were abused and/or neglected while in the care of the state put in an application. Final payments are expected to be completed by mid-2011. Internally, the past year has seen more change for DfC with the Office of Multicultural Interests moving to the Department of Local Government and 6 Department for Communities ANNUAL REPORT 2008 – 2009 Regional Development and the Family and Domestic Violence Unit being transferred to the Department for Child Protection. The new corporate branding was developed following extensive stakeholder and staff consultation. The response from stakeholders and the public to the new look has been generally positive. On one of its first outings — at the Wagin Woolorama — DfC won the prize for Best Small Enterprise Exhibit. The past year has seen many changes and many achievements. These considerable achievements would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication and professionalism of staff. I commend their efforts to you. As always, the advice and support provided by

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